The Representation of Mental Health in Contemporary Hindi Cinema: A Study of Selected Films

Abstract: Cinema is one of the most influential forms of popular culture and plays an important role in shaping public perceptions of social issues. Mental health, once largely ignored or stereotypically represented in mainstream Hindi cinema, has increasingly become a subject of narrative attention. Contemporary Hindi films have explored depression, anxiety, trauma, psychological disorders, social isolation, and emotional distress through diverse characters and storytelling techniques. This paper examines the representation of mental health in selected Hindi films, namely Taare Zameen Par (2007), 15 Park Avenue (2005), Dear Zindagi (2016), Judgementall Hai Kya (2019), and Chhichhore (2019). Using qualitative textual analysis, the study examines characterization, narrative construction, dialogue, visual representation, and social attitudes toward mental health. The analysis suggests that contemporary Hindi cinema has gradually moved from portraying psychological conditions primarily through fear, abnormality, or comic stereotypes toward more empathetic and socially contextualized representations. However, problematic stereotypes and dramatic simplifications continue to exist. The paper argues that Hindi cinema can contribute to mental -health awareness when it presents psychological struggles with sensitivity, contextual depth, and responsible storytelling.